Foodies can enjoy fine dining at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons restaurant after arriving on the bus.

Raymond Blanc's restaurant at Great Milton in south Oxfordshire has two Michelin stars and foodies travel from miles around to enjoy the finest French cusine.

The celebrity chef has welcomed a new bus service which will now be serving the village.

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He said it would also benefit his employees.

Oxford Mail:

The regular bus link between Oxford and Great Milton village is to return after a six-year absence.

Oxford Bus Company, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons and Oxfordshire County Council have linked up to deliver major improvements to bus service 46, currently operated by Thames Travel.

The improvements will see the route transferred to Oxford Bus Company, and its current Cowley to Wheatley routing expanded significantly.

The new improved route will operate seven days per week, with the last journey from Great Milton operating at 1am daily.

The service will deliver a regular public transport link to Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, which could allow diners to leave their cars at home, and will improve transport connections for staff at the site.

Read more: Le Manoir returns after lockdown

Le Manoir's Chef Patron Raymond Blanc said: “I am delighted to announce our partnership with the Oxford Bus Company. 

Oxford Mail:

"We will re-introduce the bus service to Great Milton from  June 20. 

"It will be of great benefit to both the village and Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons and of course to our team who will be able to travel to and from their workplace.

"Our employees are the heart of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and to offer this transport will enable us to remain an employer of choice.”

Oxford Mail:

The service will also restore the link between Cowley, Florence Park, Donnington Bridge Road and the Abingdon Road, which was the subject of a petition earlier in the year when the Stagecoach 16 service was withdrawn, following an Oxfordshire bus network review.

Additionally, the changes will re-instate direct bus services from Horspath village to Oxford city centre, for the first time in several years.

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Oxford Bus Company has invested £375,000 in two new, ultra-low emission buses that will be dedicated to the new service 46.

Oxford Mail:

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel managing director said: “This is a fantastic development for residents living in Great Milton, Cowley, Florence Park and the surrounding area. It also provides a regular service to people who work at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. 

“The improvements would not have been possible without the support of Le Manoir and Oxfordshire County Council."

Oxford Mail:

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways management, said: "Partnerships such as this show what can be achieved."

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